Announcements:

I want to let you know about West Pines 1.0. If you are looking for a way to get involved here at West Pines, want to meet some new people, or have questions you want answered, come by 1.0.

1.0 will be happening next Sunday, April 27, immediately following both services.

It's a quick, 30 minute event that will help you get connected at West Pines. If you've never been to 1.0 you should come next week.

Sermon Title: Into the Light

Main Texts: John 8:12

Topics:

Light is a fundamental element that we utilize everyday. In fact, think of when the power goes out. Thirty minutes later, you may still walk into a room and instinctually try to flip the switch. There are all kinds of uses of light: stop lights, emergency lights, flashlights, and lighthouses. We associate things with lights. If we see flashing red and blue lights in our rear view mirror, we impulsively feel differently than we would if we saw twinkling lights around an evergreen tree. Light is one of the most fundamental symbols in the world.

Jesus says, “I am the light of the world.” What a huge statement! Not a light for certain people, certain religions, or certain people groups, but of the world. Not a light or one of the lights, THE light.

In what way is Jesus a light?

Maybe he is like police lights - when we think about him, we think about all the things we’ve done wrong.

Maybe he is like that lightbulb over someone’s head - he had inspired ideas that we should listen to.

Maybe he is like fireworks - we bring Him out on special holidays.

Maybe he is like the krispy kreme hot now light - he makes us feel good.

Maybe he is like a flare - he can help us in crisis situations.

Maybe he is like that light at the end of the tunnel - he is simply our solution for the next life, but we will think more about him when we get closer to death.

There are other lights that claim to:

give us moral direction

give us bright ideas for our lives

we remember at holidays

makes us feel warm and fuzzy

help us through a crisis

give us a solution for the next life

But there is one thing that sets Jesus apart. Every light goes out when it breaks. But one light only begins to shine when it is broken. That is Jesus. Jesus died for our sins and rose again from the dead in victory. What makes Jesus THE light to the entire world? He was broken for us, and when we accept that, His light begins to shine into our lives.

It is not simply about Jesus’ teachings, it’s about what Jesus did. Jesus died for us to save us from our sin. He died paying our way to heaven by His death on the cross. He washed away our sins. And if we understand what He did for us, He will continue to shine into the darkness of our lives.

Key Questions:

HIGH/LOW: What was the high point of your week and the low point?

ICEBREAKER: What are some lights that bring about an automatic emotional response (i.e. police lights in your review mirror, etc.)?

READ: John 8:12

What do you think was the reaction of Jesus’ audience, when they heard what he said?

Have you ever heard a perspective that said that Jesus is simply ONE OF the lights in the world? How was that perspective described to you?

What are the ways that our lives can be in darkness?

How is it that we only see the light of Jesus, when we understand that He was broken (died on the cross and rose again from the dead)?

What are the many ways that Jesus is the light in our lives?

What are some of the ways that Jesus has brought light into your life personally?